At the Click of a Button—Data on Social Media Usage

Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok are a few examples of social media platforms. How do you feel about social media? Do you see it as a resource to reach and influence people? Are you curious about what age group of Seventh-day Adventist Church members uses social media the most? What about apps? Are you familiar with the Bible Trivia Heroes App? What about the Sabbath School App? Do you use it? Let's explore some research findings on social media and other digital resources. ­

Blog October 12, 2022

Isn’t it amazing how fast information can be accessed and how efficient communication can be these days? Worldwide Zoom meetings at the click of a button, instead of traveling long hours on an airplane to speak to somebody on the other side of the world. Online libraries, e-books, and audiobooks are all accessible within a few minutes. Are you looking for a specific Bible version? There is an app for this. Or are you trying to find information about E. G. White? There is an app for that too. Whatever you may are looking for is probably available through a website or app on your tablet/phone or other devices.

In this astonishing world of technology, Adventist researchers thought it would be valuable to find out how much our church members use social media, read the Bible on their phones, or how often they use their devices for personal devotions. The 2017-2018 Global Church Member Survey (GCMS) asked questions regarding this topic.

When respondents were asked, ”How often most of the time they used social media for any purpose,” more than a quarter (29%) of the up to 20-years-old respondents stated that they use it daily or more than daily. While we often assume that our teenagers are the ones who are using their devices the most, it may come as a surprise that the age group of 21-35-years-old respondents worldwide answered this question with a slightly higher percentage of 31%.

Respondents were also asked, “How often most of the time they used a tablet/device for Bible study or personal devotions.” As you can see in the graph below, the 21-35 age group is again in the lead (28%), followed closely by the 36-54 age group (26%).

How do you feel about the use of technology and social media? Do you use it in your ministry? The digital world of apps, websites, podcasts, blogging, and more is a resource that can be used effectively to introduce people to Christ. Since Covid-19 entered our world, many Adventist church members started and participated in Media ministries locally and even globally. Are you one of them?

You can find more research findings on the topic of technology and social media here:


Published by ASTR on 10-12-2022